Native plants for Iron County, Utah

780 native plants recorded in Iron County, Utah

The USDA plant database has 1,230 plants recorded growing wild in Iron County. 780 of them are native to the lower 48, and 73 are introduced species that this page leaves out.

By type: 441 wildflowers and herbs, 95 grasses and sedges, 84 shrubs, 108 low woody plants, 43 trees, 9 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 249 of them (32%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Biennial wormwood (Artemisia biennis), Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and 10 more are also recorded as introduced.

What fits each kind of spot in Iron County

Sun all day in Iron County: 248 rated natives

82 wildflowers and herbs, 54 grasses and sedges, 42 shrubs, 35 trees, 29 low woody plants, 6 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. Alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. American alpine speedwell (Veronica wormskjoldii) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
5. American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
6. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Half shade in Iron County: 208 rated natives

64 wildflowers and herbs, 45 grasses and sedges, 38 shrubs, 31 trees, 25 low woody plants, 5 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
2. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
3. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
4. Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
5. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
6. Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
7. Gray aster (Eurybia glauca) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
8. Hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance

Under trees in Iron County: 125 rated natives

30 grasses and sedges, 29 wildflowers and herbs, 29 shrubs, 18 trees, 16 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
5. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Gray aster (Eurybia glauca) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Heavy clay in Iron County: 131 rated natives

46 wildflowers and herbs, 35 grasses and sedges, 19 shrubs, 15 trees, 11 low woody plants, 5 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
3. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
5. Heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
6. Idaho blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium idahoense) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.7 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Largeflower hawksbeard (Crepis occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Largeleaf avens (Geum macrophyllum) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Sandy, drains fast in Iron County: 184 rated natives

54 wildflowers and herbs, 38 shrubs, 36 grasses and sedges, 31 trees, 20 low woody plants, 5 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
5. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
6. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Douglas' dustymaiden (Chaenactis douglasii) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Drummond's rockcress (Arabis drummondii) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Never watered in Iron County: 147 rated natives

37 shrubs, 36 wildflowers and herbs, 26 grasses and sedges, 24 trees, 21 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
2. Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
3. Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
4. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
5. Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
6. Gooseberry currant (Ribes montigenum) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
7. Missouri gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
8. Old man's whiskers (Geum triflorum) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance

Stays soggy in Iron County: 79 rated natives

35 wildflowers and herbs, 27 grasses and sedges, 10 trees, 3 low woody plants, 3 shrubs, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Chamisso arnica (Arnica chamissonis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
2. Cursed buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
3. Heartleaf bittercress (Cardamine cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
4. Marsh grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
5. Rocky Mountain iris (Iris missouriensis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
6. Western polemonium (Polemonium occidentale) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
7. Western valerian (Valeriana occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
8. American licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil

Natives Iron County has that most of Utah does not

2 natives here are on file in no more than 1 of Utah's 29 counties. A few of them:

• Manybranched pepperweed (Lepidium ramosissimum): only here
• Franklin's penstemon (Penstemon franklinii): only here

Where to start in Iron County

If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Iron County gives you the most rated choice (248 plants), and Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) is the easiest start on that list. Stays soggy is the hard one here: 79 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 533 unrated natives too.